PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College men and women locked up playoff spots against Whatcom this weekend, with the women coming away with a 2-0 win and the men battling to a 1-1 standoff with the second-place Orcas.
Both teams remain undefeated on their seasons. All of the scoring in both games came early in the first half.
The women got off to a good start with a goal in the 20th minute from ISIS-Jade Bryant when she gobbled up a rebound off the Whatcom goalkeeper and booted it in. Kamalani Yamashita got the assist on that goal.
Just four minutes late, Bryant scored again on a long free kick from Peninsula’s side of the center line. The kick got through the Orcas’ defenders and Bryant remained onside to kick the ball in a wide-open net.
Alexandra Naill made seven saves to earn the shutout. Peninsula outshot Whatcom 16-10.
With the win, the women improved to 9-0-1 in the North, clinching a North championship with 28 points to Skagit Valley’s 19 with two games left.
The Pirates have now gone more than 800 minutes without allowing a goal.
The women are scheduled to play at Shoreline on Saturday, but the Dolphins are struggling with their women’s program and it’s possible that game will not be played.
Men’s Game
The men scored early in the first half when Austin Collins made a great run down the right wing in the 17th minute, literally leaping over the tackle of a Whatcom defender. He made a perfect, long crossing pass to Jamie Joyce, who pounded the ball into the net from outside the penalty box.
Whatcom, which came in to the match unbeaten in the North, responded with a goal just three minutes later when the Orcas headed in a corner kick. It was the first goal Peninsula had allowed in more than 470 minutes. The two teams remained deadlocked to the end. It was the second time this year Whatcom and Peninsula tied.
With the tie, Peninsula’s record is 8-0-2 (26 points), while second-place Whatcom is at 6-0-4 (22 points). The Pirates clinched a playoff berth and can lock up a North Region title with a win Saturday against Shoreline (2-5-1, 2-7-3).
Peninsula College goalkeeper Max Woithe makes a diving save against Whatcom as the Pirates tied the Orcas 1-1 to remain all alone in first place in the North Region. (Jay Cline/Peninsula College)
